Merchandise security system with optical communication

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to security systems and methods for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system may also include a cable connected to the sensor and at least one optical transceiver for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:
 a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise, wherein the sensor comprises an optical transceiver; 
 a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise; and 
 a cable configured to be connected to the sensor, wherein the cable comprises an optical transceiver, 
 wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate optical signals with one another to determine if the cable has been cut or disconnected. 
 
     
     
       2. The security system of  claim 1 , further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, the base comprising the charging circuit. 
     
     
       3. The security system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises at least one electrical contact and the base comprises at least one electrical contact, and wherein the base is configured to transfer power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise via the electrical contacts when the sensor is supported on the base. 
     
     
       4. The security system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor or the base is configured to detect the presence or absence of data transmitted by the optical transceivers of the sensor and the cable, and wherein the sensor or base is configured to generate an alarm in response to the absence of data. 
     
     
       5. The security system of  claim 2 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable is located within the base. 
     
     
       6. The security system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector at an end of the cable, and wherein the connector comprises circuitry in communication with the optical transceiver of the cable. 
     
     
       7. The security system of  claim 1 , further comprising a recoiler connected to the cable. 
     
     
       8. The security system of  claim 7 , further comprising a base configured to removably support the sensor and the item of merchandise thereon, wherein the recoiler is housed within the base. 
     
     
       9. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been disconnected. 
     
     
       10. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been cut. 
     
     
       11. The security system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector configured to electrically connect the sensor to the item of merchandise, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the connector has been removed from the item of merchandise. 
     
     
       12. The security system of  claim 11 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been cut. 
     
     
       13. The security system of  claim 11 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been disconnected. 
     
     
       14. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to rotate relative to one another. 
     
     
       15. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to define a sense loop through the cable. 
     
     
       16. The security system of  claim 15 , wherein the charging circuit and the sense loop are electrically isolated from one another. 
     
     
       17. The security system of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises a connector configured to electrically connect to an input port on the item of merchandise, and wherein the sense loop is further defined between the sensor and the connector. 
     
     
       18. The security system of  claim 17 , further comprising an alarm operably engaged with the cable configured to generate an alarm signal when the connector is removed from the item of merchandise, the sensor is removed from the item of merchandise, or the sense loop is interrupted. 
     
     
       19. The security system of  claim 15 , wherein the cable comprises at least one conductor for defining the sense loop, and wherein the at least one conductor does not transmit power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. 
     
     
       20. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are separated by an air gap when the cable is connected to the sensor. 
     
     
       21. The security system of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable connector configured to releasably engage the cable and the sensor. 
     
     
       22. The security system of  claim 21 , wherein the releasable connector is configured to contain the optical transceiver of the cable. 
     
     
       23. The security system of  claim 21 , wherein the releasable connector is configured to threadably engage the sensor. 
     
     
       24. The security system of  claim 21 , wherein the releasable connector comprises a threaded collar. 
     
     
       25. The security system of  claim 24 , further comprising a clip configured to removably secure the collar to the end of the cable. 
     
     
       26. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine that the item of merchandise is secured to the sensor. 
     
     
       27. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if communication therebetween is lost. 
     
     
       28. The security system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one alarm configured to generate an alarm signal when the cable is cut or disconnected. 
     
     
       29. The security system of  claim 28 , wherein the sensor or the base comprises the at least one alarm. 
     
     
       30. The security system of  claim 28 , wherein each of the sensor and the base comprises an alarm. 
     
     
       31. The security system of  claim 28 , wherein the at least one alarm is configured to be disarmed with a wireless key. 
     
     
       32. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises one or more electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver of the cable. 
     
     
       33. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductors for providing power to the optical transceiver of the cable. 
     
     
       34. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable is located at an end of the cable. 
     
     
       35. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are electrically isolated from one another. 
     
     
       36. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to transmit data between one another. 
     
     
       37. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to transmit data comprising the type of item of merchandise coupled to the sensor, the serial number of the item of merchandise, and/or the manufacturer of the item of merchandise. 
     
     
       38. The security system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a power source configured to provide power to the sensor for interpreting signals provided by the optical transceiver of the sensor and to provide power to the optical transceiver of the sensor. 
     
     
       39. A security system for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:
 a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise, the sensor comprising an optical transceiver configured to transmit and receive data; and 
 a cable configured to be connected to the sensor, the cable comprising an optical transceiver configured to transmit and receive data, 
 wherein the optical transceivers are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the cable has been cut or disconnected. 
 
     
     
       40. A method for securing an item of merchandise, comprising:
 coupling a sensor to an item of merchandise; and 
 connecting a cable to the sensor, the cable and the sensor each comprising at least one optical transceiver for determining if the cable has been cut or disconnected. 
 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 40 , further comprising positioning the sensor on a base for transferring power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 40 , further comprising connecting a connector to an input port on the item of merchandise, wherein the optical transceiver of the cable and the optical transceiver of the sensor are configured to communicate with one another to determine if the connector has been removed from the item of merchandise.